The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-27
THE VIEWS ON NATURAL GAS
NOn-Committal Expressions Only Can
BE Had from the Local Companies.
Col. Payne Says the Standard People Have
Abandoned the Indianapolis Field and
Want to Sell Their Wells and Leases.

aew to offer The cooperative idea was not
prominent in the many discussions. matter
how tenaciously some theorists hold to it as the
pnly solution of the problem OF how to get
natural gas into the city. Councilman and
Ildermen evnced alacrity to encourage talk.
Bither for against the Indianapolis company's
ordinance as no one OF them has escaped be-
rating from his constituents. The general feel
ing, both part of the company and those op-
posing, was 70 take rest and wait the Develop
ments that may occur during the next few
days Because President Endly will not call
the aldermen together in special session.
all parties directly interested that
ID is not necessary to push action through
Council before the next regular meeting. The
officers of the Indianapolis company are appar-
entity undisturbed, and carefully keep 70 them
selves their Intentions They neither commit
themselves to expressions Of disappointment or
OF what is likely to take place. Resting in the
security that they can keep their gas until the
people are ready fer it. they wait the turn of
events, which after all may come only when
Haughvil,e and West Indianapolis enjoying
the benefits of natural gas through the Indian
apolis companys mains gentleman refer
ring to the acceptance of the ordinances by these
two villages said last night, "If Indianapolis has
not sufficient enterprise to care for herself there
liz redeeming element in saving all
the people of Marion county from
being considered ridiculous in their selfshness
and absurd in their theories. Hauehville,
Broad Ripple. Millersville. Sheridan, Mapleton
and West Indianapolis are all using natural cas-.
expect to gee umberland Irvington, Bright
wood and Southport supplied before Council
and the Board of Aldermen realize that the de-
lay cansed by personal interests and cranky no
lions is damaging the city in the estimation OF
moneyed and business men abroad"
As to how boon Council will take definite ac
ton on the Indianapolis companys proposition
DO one can tell The committee that bad the
amending of the old ordinance in charge could
have reported Tuesday night, but now it is try
ing to find our why it was appointed and why 1t
should have spent the greater part or an after
noon, until long after supper time IN having the
company make concession after concession until
only the schedule of prices remained. Upon
that tine difference occurred, and tho company,
it is claimed. was so much falrer than the COM
mittee expected that the men it. who
supposed to be in the interest of rival companies
did not know how to save their opposition ex-
those amendments that bad been unanimous
ly adopted. Councilman Swain the chairman
Of the COMMITTEES, when asked what was to be
done with the material that had been collected
for a report said: Nothing"
But you will surely make some kind OF q
definite statement to Council az TO your consd-
erAtionsW
IL don't know about that. AS it looks now
there will be no report Of any kind
mot Mt the next meetingW
Il won't say that. The fact is do not see
what good would come Of 1t. but the matter may
turn out right after all
The opinion often expressed yesterday
that the municipal officers had been put in
state OF trepdation by those who want the old
ordinance to remain unamended. But IT
was observable that as everybody had
receded from the high pressure plan
of the night before, those who
favored a change in price il the oompany's pro-
position for o limited number of years were in
aaSin in trnb a
gentleman who speak for it. lis inclined
TO let public agitation alone for the time and al
low the people to reflect on what it had done in
the way of concessions. l believe that it will
not be many days before everyone will be will
ing to admit that the company has gone "a far
it can in coming to az agreement In regard
to the future plans of himself and colleagues,
Mr.. Fletcher saws: eff Council does not accept
our concessions l do not know whore or when
the city is TO get its natural gas" This remark
js significant, taken in connection with possible
developments that may shortly appear.
There was q rumor on the streets last night
that pipes were being laid from Noblesville in
the direction of Indianapolis, but the officers of
the only local company that could possibly do 1t
denied that it was being done by them. They
also said that they did not have section OF pipe
in that town. AS the operations of the
Standard people in that locality the statements
OF Col Payne, who is here. show that the great
oil trust is willing to withdraw altogether
from the Noblesvile field. The Colonel said to
a Journal reporter, when asked il the Standard
was in the field again: mo sir, 1t is not. the
have not taken a lease for several months and
are holding property only for disposal or for
taking gas TO some other point"
1T is rumored that you are about TO sell your
property in this district to one OF the other COM
panies
been made. 1t is not probable that there will
be any market for 1t here unless the ordinance
in amended"
what do you think of the situation here2"
Il do not see that 1t Is changed The people
INDIANAPOLIS 1rIpractiCaDl0
basis, and they will not get it. We would not
bring gas in on the terms the indianapolis com
for the fact that Mr.. Fletcher could it in his
plant for illuminating purposes
What percentage of 1t could be mixed with
the Illuminating gas!'
1T could not be mixed as it is. It would be
noticed at once in the Jet. When the carbon is
burned out it is very fine illuminating gas. The
carbon ia fumed out in cupola furnaces the bot
toms of which are filed with coke. The blast is
turned on until the coke is at white heat.
then the blast is shut off and the gas is turned
in for fifteen minutes. Then the blast is
turned on for fifteen minutes. and so on. BY
this process the cost OF Illuminating could be
materially lessen0d. OF course We would not
have this motive for bringing gas in, and con-
sequently we would want higher rate than the
Indianapolis company"
"Dont you think it will bring in the gas under
the present oriinancel'
IL do not. People with money will not risk
large investments without a chance for profit 1
do not believe any company will bring in gas
under this ordinance"
lis there any truth in reports Of activity on
your part in the vicinity of Noblesville?"
Nothing further than that going 10
put down six more wells there in order to hold
our leases. We out of the field so far as
supplying Indianapolis under proposed rates is
concerned. If any other company wants to try
it, il is welcome 70 the chance"
Since Monday the representatives of several
pipe manufacturing concerns have been in the
city. Among them is George Riley OF the Ma
tional tube works. He is not believer in the
&C. operation plan OF piping Gas or in having it
done by the city. cooperation or trust com
pany" he said ''rncans unlimited number of
holders OF certificates shares. In this the
danger is that many Of the stockholders would
eventually throw their holdings on the market.
In PittsburC a city that has had several years
experience with natural gas it is not considered
. safe investment. The stocks of several of the |
companies iucGuate rapidly while those of others
keep steady. The stock of only one company
- s. L.. 49, ]